The Day Gujarat Cried: Vijay Rupani’s Death in Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani death : On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, tragedy struck the skies above Ahmedabad. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Among the 241 lives lost was Vijay Ramniklal Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His untimely demise has shaken political circles, his home state, and the nation.
1. A Fateful Takeoff
Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at approximately 13:38 IST, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members . Reports indicate the plane began losing altitude almost immediately. Eyewitnesses described it flying awkwardly low before crashing into a hostel block at the AMC Medical College in Meghani Nagar, bursting into flames
2. Confirming Rupani’s Death
BJP leaders, including CR Patil (Gujarat’s BJP president) and Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, confirmed Rupani was aboard flight AI171 and lost his life in the incident . Rupani was traveling to London to join his wife and daughter after attending by-elections . It is especially poignant that the crash occurred on June 12 (12/06) -Rupani’s lifelong “lucky number” .
3. Who Was Vijay Rupani?
- Born on August 2, 1956, in Rangoon (now Myanmar), Rupani moved to Rajkot in the early 1960s .
- He earned his BA and LLB from Saurashtra University and became involved with RSS and ABVP during his student years .
- Active in municipal politics, he served as Mayor of Rajkot (1996–1997) .
- Elected to the Rajya Sabha (2006–2012), he later became a Gujarat Cabinet Minister (2014) and subsequently Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021) .
- Known as a soft-spoken, grassroots leader, Rupani was admired for his simplicity and integrity .
4. Reactions from the Nation Vijay Rupani death
🌐 Political and Public Condolences
- Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak called Rupani’s death an “immeasurable loss,” praising his dedication and compassionate nature.
- Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar remembered him as a gentle leader, calling the loss not just Gujarat’s but deeply personal .
- BJP MP Sambit Patra described this as “an irreparable loss” to Indian politics .
- Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed sorrow and called Rupani “a statesman whose gentle nature will always be remembered” .
🌍 Celebrities and National Figures
- Former Minister Smriti Irani said Rupani felt “like family” to many, offering heartfelt condolences.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and hospital, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words” .
5. The Aircraft Crash: Tragedy in Detail
Heavy Fuel, Fierce Blaze
The Boeing 787 had a full fuel load (~125,000 liters) for its long-haul flight, resulting in an intense inferno upon collision . Rescue teams from the Ahmedabad Fire Department and NDRF (six teams from Gandhinagar and Vadodara) arrived quickly, but the blaze made rescue nearly impossible .
6. The Investigation Underway
- The DGCA and AAIB (India) are leading investigations.
- The UK AAIB and US NTSB, along with Boeing and GE Aerospace, are assisting .
- One black box has been recovered. Flight data, cockpit voice records, maintenance logs, and technical team reports will be analyzed .
- Analysts are examining unusual factors like potential gear/flap anomalies and engine performance issues.
7. The Human Toll
- 241 passengers and crew lost their lives, plus 28+ on the ground in the hostel building .
- Victims included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian .
- Medical students, families, professionals, and children were on board. The devastation was both personal and far-reaching .
8. Vijay Rupani’s Legacy
- Vijay Rupani led Gujarat through the post-COVID recovery phase and was respected across political lines .
- He served over five years, the longest since Narendra Modi’s tenure, and was praised as a “leader of the people”
- His journey from student activism, to roles as Mayor, Rajya Sabha MP, and Chief Minister, reflects a lifelong dedication to public service .
9. Personal Touch: The Man Behind the Title
- Born in Burma, his early life shaped a story of resilience and upward mobility .
- His belief in the number 1206, used on personal and official vehicles, symbolized his optimism — yet fate dealt him a cruel irony on 12/06 .
- He leaves behind wife Anjali, son Rushabh, daughter Radhika, and a deep emotional footprint — sadly compounded by the earlier loss of their younger son, Pujit .
10. A Nation in Mourning and Reflection
- The Government of India declared June 13 a National Day of Mourning. Flags were lowered; central offices observed two minutes of silence .
- Compensation: Rs 10 lakh announced for each victim by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel; Tata Group/Tata Sons pledged ₹1 crore per family.
Closing Thoughts
The Ahmedabad plane crash has left an indelible mark on India’s collective memory. Vijay Rupani’s death, coming just years after a notable tenure as Gujarat’s CM, deeply affects not just his family, but also the governance and public spirit of the state. As investigators piece together the cause of this unprecedented tragedy, tributes continue to pour in—from political allies to grieving families across continents.
This blog aims to honor Rupani’s legacy and provide a clear, factual recapitulation of events. Please let me know if you’d like expanded sections on technical investigation, personal anecdotes, victim profiles, or media embeds to extend this toward 3,000+ words.
